Hoover swimming sets sights on another Federal League run

Another season, another chance for the Hoover High School boys swim team to defend the Federal League title.

Cliff Hickman CantonRep.com sports writer

Another season, another chance for the Hoover High School boys swim team to defend the Federal League title.

The Vikings have won the Federal League championship each of the last five years and will be looking for No. 6 this season. Hoover will have to defend the title this year without some of its key components from last season — notably state qualifiers Brian Giannetti, Matt Groves, Robert Tolson and Drew Bercaw.

"We are in the process of finding out who is going to step up and take spots right now," Hoover head coach Matthew Johnsen said. "We had six state qualifiers last season, but we only have two of them back. I think a lot of the guys are seeing the opportunities and saying to themselves that this is their chance."

Johnsen has noticed how hard the swimmers are working to fill the void left by the graduated stars.

They are working harder than they ever have before," Johnsen said. "I think they realize that this is their time to shine. They've always worked hard but this group has been much more intense so far this season. This will be a process and it will take a little bit of time. Right now we are just striving to get better with each day.

Helping the process along will be returning state qualifiers Stephen Watson and Alex Lammlein. Watson finished second in the state in the 200 freestyle (1:23.94) and ninth in the state in the 50 free (21.17), and should be the key to a talented group in the sprints.

"We do have a nice core of top end guys returning in some spots," Johnsen said. "I think the strength of our team is gong to be the sprinting and backstroke events. We have a really great core. Having Nathan Spaid, Markus Brandle and Zane Grissett back to add to the mix should make us even stronger in those areas."

Two other returning swimmers also are impressing early in the freestyle events.

"Sophomore Justin Richards has really stood out," Johnsen said. "I think he had his mail sent to the YMCA this summer because it looks like he lived in the gym. Junior Michael Cochenour has also stepped up greatly. I think he is ready to take that next step this season."

Hoover is ready for another competitive season in the Federal League. A Jan. 24 showdown at Jackson may decide who comes away with the league championship.

"After graduation, I think Jackson is probably looked at as the strongest team in the league," Johnsen said. "We are going to see what we can do. That is going to be a great dual match. I can tell you that we have that date circled on our calendar. They lost Drew Fulton to graduation but they brought a lot of horses back. We are going to go out there and try our best."

Although competing for Federal League titles are nice, the goals for Hoover swimmers are much higher as they head into the season.

"I think when we go into a season we put a lot of stock into performing well at the district meet," Johnsen said. "That is the big event we prepare for, train for and that is where we want to do well. I think if we are ready for the district meet, the Federal League titles and the sectional titles tend to come. We look at those as gravy. Our goal each year is to work hard and to perform well in Cleveland and that is what we are focusing on again this season."